The hill stretched out beneath the afternoon sky, tall grass brushing against Raku's knees as he climbed. The path was barely a path—just a worn trail cutting through wind and silence.
He didn't know exactly where Chitoge had gone. Only that she was out here somewhere, and that he needed to find her.Maybe to speak.Maybe just to make sure she heard something—anything—before disappearing again.
His breath came uneven. Not just from the run.From the feeling in his chest that refused to settle.
Then—"Ichijou-kun…?"
He froze.Not that voice.
Turning slowly, he saw her: Onodera, standing just a few steps down the slope, the wind tugging gently at the ends of her skirt. Her cheeks were flushed from running. Her eyes not wide, but... still.
She climbed the rest of the way toward him, breath light.They stood in a small clearing now, sunlight flickering through clouds, casting long shadows that didn't quite touch.
"…What do you think about Kosaki?" she asked quietly, gaze lowered to the grass between them.
He blinked. The question caught him off guard.
"I don't know. She's… annoying, honestly," he muttered, laughing weakly. "Always punching me for no reason. Gets mad over everything. Doesn't really get me most of the time."
He rubbed the back of his neck. His voice dropped slightly.
"But… I guess I had something for her. For a while."
"Ichijou-kun… Chitoge must be really special to you"
"No , its not something big like that " He didn't look up.Didn't need to.He felt the silence thicken between them.
"Ohh... that's it—," Onodera said, a soft, puzzled laugh escaping as her eyes searched his face
Onodera didn't move.Not right away.The breeze slid past her, and still she didn't blink.
So.. That's it…He Really likes her.
The ache she'd been keeping quiet for years gave a quiet pull beneath her ribs.
But she stepped forward anyway.
"…Ichijou-kun?" her voice barely above the rustling wind, "before you go—before you decide anything…"
He looked at her now.Her eyes were calm. But behind them, something trembled.
"I wanted to confess something really important."
He didn't speak. Just waiting
"I like you, Ichijou-kun. I always have."Her voice cracked—as if she might collapse at any moment, eyes beginning to well with tears"You're my first love."
A long hush followed.Only the sound of the wind in the grass.Only her standing there—open, afraid, honest.
"Onodera...?" Raku blinked, confusion flickering in his eyes. It was like her words hadn't fully registered—he stood there, a little stunned.